Aquatic Exercise Association

Intermediate / 3.0 credit hours

(Pool Viewing Time: 90 minutes / Classroom Viewing Time: 90 minutes)

Faculty: Beth Scalone, PT, DPT, OCS, ATRIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The upper quadrant includes the neck, shoulder, arm, hand and thoracic spine. As humans we rely on our hands for essential activities of daily living. Pain, loss of motion or loss of strength anywhere along the upper limb chain can lead to significant loss in function. Successful management of this complex region requires first, that the aquatic therapist identify dysfunction and second, apply a variety of aquatic therapy techniques to address the client’s specific impairments.

This course will examine the functional connections between components of the region, discuss common diagnoses, review precautions and contraindications for specific diagnoses as they relate to aquatic therapy and present current research regarding treatment to the upper quadrant. Lecture time will present clinical pearls and current evidence in respect to neck pain and variety of upper extremity diagnoses. The primary focus of the pool lab portion of this course will be practical, hands-on aquatic manual techniques and aquatic therapy exercise progressions to improve ROM, strength and postural awareness. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Link five basic rehabilitation goals for upper quadrant impairments (decrease pain, reduce muscle tension, increase mobility, improve muscle balance, and restore postural awareness) with appropriate aquatic therapy interventions.
• State precautions to treatment for upper quadrant diagnoses and list red flag symptoms or signs requiring referral to physician.
• Cue client through water exercises to improve posture, increase upper quadrant strength and decrease stress/tension in the cervical muscles.
• Perform safe and effective manual techniques to achieve specific rehabilitation goals for individuals with upper quadrant dysfunction.

FACULTY: Beth Scalone, PT, DPT, OCS, ATRIC, is a licensed physical therapist with many years of experience in orthopedic and aquatic therapy. As the owner of North County Water and Sports Therapy Center in San Diego (www.waterpt.com), she continues with hands-on clinical care in addition to her role as educator. Since graduating from the University of Connecticut in 1991, Beth has belonged to the American Physical Therapy Association and has achieved certification as a Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. In January 2006, she graduated from Boston University with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Additional certifications include Certified STOTT Pilates™ instructor and Master Instructor for the Burdenko Method.

Beth not only provides continuing education for health care professionals, she is an adjunct faculty in the San Diego Mesa College PTA program, teaching Orthopedic Rehabilitation and Introduction to Pathology courses. She also provides the learning module/instruction on aquatic therapy to the University of St. Augustine San Diego Campus DPT program. She is the recipient of the 2010 ATRI Tsunami Spirit Award and the 2012 ATRI Professional Award.